TL;DR Short answer: most AWS migrations need two or three tools, chosen by workload: AWS Transform MGN for servers, AWS DMS for databases, DataSync or Transfer Family for files, and a connector platform like Airbyte for the SaaS and API data that AWS services do not reach. Plan the move in AWS Transform, because Application Discovery Service and Migration Hub are now closed to new customers. Ten AWS migration tools:
Airbyte AWS DMS AWS Transform MGN AWS Transform AWS DataSync AWS Transfer Family Corent SurPaaS CloudFuze Cloudsfer OpenText Migrate One AWS constraint: DMS, MGN and DataSync all copy continuously, so downtime comes down to the cutover itself: how quickly you can stop writes, let the final changes replicate and switch traffic. Rehearse it with a test cutover first.AWS migration tools handle the move from on-premises or another cloud into AWS, covering databases, servers, files and full application workloads. No single tool does all of that well, so most migrations combine two or three. The ten options below cover each workload, along with how to choose between them.
What are AWS migration tools? AWS migration tools are the services, software and middleware that move your organisation's IT infrastructure into the AWS Cloud. They automate the parts of a migration that are slow and error-prone by hand: transferring data, rehosting applications and bridging compatibility gaps between source and target. Sources can be on-premises environments, another cloud platform or legacy systems that were never designed to move.
How do the AWS migration tools compare? Tool Moves Ongoing sync Downtime Pricing basis Airbyte SaaS, API and database data Yes, before and after cutover None for ongoing sync Free self-hosted; capacity-based plans AWS DMS Databases Yes, via CDC Minimal Replication instance or serverless capacity hours AWS Transform MGN Servers Until cutover Short cutover Free for 90 days per server, then hourly AWS Transform Planning and modernisation Not applicable Not applicable Varies by capability AWS DataSync Files and objects Scheduled, incremental Minimal Per GB transferred AWS Transfer Family Files over SFTP, FTPS, FTP, AS2 Ongoing transfers None Per endpoint hour plus data Corent SurPaaS Applications No Varies by workload Custom subscription CloudFuze Cloud files and mailboxes Delta migration None Per user or per GB Cloudsfer Cloud storage Scheduled sync None Per GB, tiered OpenText Migrate Servers and data Yes, real-time Near zero Per workload licence
Which AWS migration tools should you consider? Each tool below covers a different part of an AWS cloud migration , so read them by workload rather than as straight alternatives.
1. Airbyte Airbyte is an open data movement platform and a practical complement to the native AWS ETL tools . Where AWS DMS handles database-to-database moves, Airbyte also covers the SaaS applications, APIs and file sources AWS services do not reach, through 700+ pre-built connectors . Destinations include Amazon Redshift, S3, DynamoDB, Kinesis and AWS data lakes, plus non-AWS targets if your migration is not one-directional. Unlike the migration services, it keeps syncing after cutover.
Key features of Airbyte Multiple ways to build: pipelines can be built in the UI, with the Terraform provider, through the API , or in Python with PyAirbyte .Connector Builder with AI assist: for sources without a pre-built connector, the AI assistant reads the API documentation and pre-fills the configuration.Deployment options: self-host Airbyte Core for free, or run it on Airbyte Cloud or as Enterprise Flex.Hybrid deployment with Airbyte Enterprise Flex Migrations are exactly when data sovereignty questions surface, because regulated records are in motion and often crossing boundaries they never crossed before. Airbyte Enterprise Flex separates the control plane from the data plane so that never becomes a blocker. Airbyte runs orchestration, scheduling and monitoring, while the data plane runs inside your own AWS account, VPC or data centre.
Your records, credentials and encryption keys stay inside your boundary, and only pipeline configuration and job metadata reach Airbyte. Connections are outbound only, so no inbound firewall rules are needed, and you can bring your own KMS. Region pinning ties a data plane to a specific cloud, region or on-premises site, which matters when a migration has to satisfy residency rules in more than one jurisdiction.
Data planes deploy on Amazon EKS through Helm, or on a single VM with Docker using Airbox, and air-gapped networks are supported. Because you can run multiple workspaces across regions from one control plane, a phased migration can move region by region without standing up separate tooling each time. Flex includes SSO, RBAC, field-level hashing and encryption, external secrets management, PrivateLink, audit logging and a 99.9% control-plane SLA, with capacity-based pricing rather than per-row charges.
Pros Cons 700+ connectors covering SaaS and API sources AWS services miss Moves data, not servers or full application workloads Keeps syncing after cutover rather than stopping at migration Self-managed deployment needs Kubernetes or Docker skills Enterprise Flex keeps data and keys inside your own AWS account Flex pricing is custom and needs a sales conversation Works across clouds, so useful for multi-cloud migrations Less tightly coupled to AWS internals than native services Connector Builder for sources that do not exist yet Not a rehosting or replatforming tool
2. AWS Database Migration Service (DMS) AWS DMS is a managed service for the main types of database migration : relational and NoSQL databases, data warehouses and data lakes moving into AWS. It runs a full load followed by change data capture, so the source stays live while the target catches up, and DMS Schema Conversion handles moves between different database engines.
Key features of AWS DMS Ease of use: no drivers to install, source data to modify or application-level changes to make.Real data for testing: you can replicate into and out of AWS, so development, test and staging systems run on real data.Pros Cons No drivers to install or application changes required Strains on very large volumes and long-running tasks Handles homogeneous and heterogeneous migrations Databases only, so SaaS sources need another tool Continuous replication keeps downtime minimal Schema conversion often needs manual work Supports test and staging environments on real data Targets inside AWS, limiting cross-cloud moves
3. AWS Transform MGN (formerly AWS Application Migration Service) AWS Transform MGN is AWS's lift-and-shift rehosting service. It replicates physical, virtual and cloud servers into Amazon EC2 with continuous block-level replication, then automates machine conversion and cutover. AWS renamed it from AWS Application Migration Service in June 2026; the APIs, replication engine and compliance certifications are unchanged, and it now also powers the AWS Transform agentic workflow. It is the replacement for CloudEndure Migration, which is end of life in all AWS Regions.
Key features of AWS Transform MGN Broad source support: migrates from physical servers, Microsoft Hyper-V, VMware vSphere and other clouds, with agentless replication available for VMware vCenter.Modernisation actions: apply built-in or custom actions during migration, such as operating system conversion, licence changes or cross-region disaster recovery setup.Pros Cons Rehosts from physical, Hyper-V, vSphere and other clouds Lift-and-shift only, so it will not modernise architecture Free for 90 days per migrated server Agent needed on most sources; agentless only for VMware vCenter Built-in modernisation actions such as OS conversion Cutover still needs a planned maintenance window Powers the AWS Transform agentic workflow AWS as a destination only
4. AWS Transform AWS Transform is AWS's agentic AI service for migration and modernisation, launched in May 2025. For migrations, it handles discovery, dependency mapping, wave planning, landing zone and network setup, then rehosts servers through AWS Transform MGN. It also modernises Windows workloads including .NET and SQL Server, VMware estates and mainframe applications. For new customers, it replaces AWS Application Discovery Service and AWS Migration Hub, both closed to new customers since November 7, 2025.
Key features of AWS Transform Agentic planning: an agent builds the application inventory, maps dependencies and proposes migration waves, and you can switch to the MGN console for hands-on control at the rehosting stage.Modernisation beyond rehosting: containerisation during migration, .NET porting and mainframe code transformation, not just lift-and-shift.Pros Cons Discovery, wave planning and rehosting in one workflow Young service, launched in 2025 Covers modernisation as well as migration Agent-driven plans still need expert review The supported path for new discovery and tracking projects Moves workloads into AWS only Uses the proven MGN replication engine underneath Does not move SaaS or API data
5. AWS DataSync AWS DataSync is an online transfer service for files and objects. It copies data from NFS and SMB file shares, HDFS, self-managed object storage and other clouds, including Azure Blob Storage and Google Cloud Storage, into Amazon S3, EFS or FSx. Transfers are incremental, so you can run an initial copy and then keep the target in step until cutover.
Key features of AWS DataSync Integrity checks: data is verified in transit and at the destination, and metadata such as permissions and timestamps is preserved.Scheduling and filtering: run transfers on a schedule, include or exclude paths, and limit bandwidth so a migration does not saturate a production network.Pros Cons Moves files from on-premises shares and other clouds Files and objects only, not databases or servers Incremental transfers keep the target current until cutover On-premises sources need an agent deployed Built-in integrity verification and metadata preservation Per-GB charges add up on very large datasets Bandwidth limits protect production networks Transfer speed is bound by your network link
6. AWS Transfer Family AWS Transfer Family provides managed SFTP, FTPS, FTP and AS2 endpoints that move files into and out of Amazon S3 or EFS. Existing clients keep their authentication, access and firewall configuration, which makes it the least disruptive way to migrate partner and system file exchanges that already run over those protocols.
Key features of AWS Transfer Family Scalability: elastic infrastructure and built-in autoscaling handle peak transfer periods.Flexible authentication: integrate with Microsoft Active Directory or LDAP, or manage user credentials in the service itself.Pros Cons Keeps existing client configurations working unchanged File transfer only, with no transformation Autoscaling handles peak transfer periods Endpoint hourly charges apply even when idle Integrates with Active Directory and LDAP No support for database or server workloads Lands files directly in S3 or EFS Protocol support does not extend to modern APIs
7. Corent SurPaaS Corent's SurPaaS is a migration-as-a-service platform that analyses, optimises and migrates software applications to AWS, including replatforming them as SaaS. It scans your network and builds a dependency graph using Move Group Analysis and its R-Lane framework.
Key features of Corent SurPaaS CIO dashboard: a high-level view of the IT estate and migration progress for executive reporting.Automated assessments: reports on application readiness, migration strategy, cost optimisation and operational planning, so the business case rests on measured data rather than estimates.Pros Cons Scans the network and builds a dependency graph Niche vendor with a smaller community than AWS tools Executive dashboard for reporting migration progress Custom pricing that is not published Automated readiness and cost optimisation reports Replatforming results vary by application Covers assessment through to migration in one product Steeper onboarding than single-purpose tools
8. CloudFuze CloudFuze is a cloud-to-cloud migration platform for files and mailboxes. It transfers data between storage services such as Dropbox Business, Amazon S3, Azure Blob Storage and Citrix ShareFile, preserving permissions and folder structure.
Key features of CloudFuze Multi-cloud connectivity: over 40 connectors, authenticated with OAuth 2.0.Compliance: SOC 2 Type 2, GDPR and ISO 27001, which matters when mailboxes and documents carry personal data.Pros Cons Over 40 connectors across major cloud storage providers Limited to file and mailbox data SOC 2 Type 2, GDPR and ISO 27001 compliance Pricing scales with users and data volume Preserves permissions and folder structure Large migrations need careful throttling OAuth 2.0 authentication throughout Not suitable for database or server workloads
9. Cloudsfer Cloudsfer is a cloud-to-cloud migration tool that synchronises, backs up and migrates cloud storage data to destinations such as Amazon S3. Its interface is simple enough that a migration does not need specialist skills.
Key features of Cloudsfer Multi-user migration: migrate many users through one interface while preserving permissions, security settings and metadata.Migration reports: every item is mapped from source to destination, which makes verification after cutover straightforward.Pros Cons Migrates many users through one interface Cloud storage only, not servers or databases Preserves permissions, security and metadata Per-GB pricing gets costly on large datasets Detailed source-to-destination mapping reports Fewer connectors than larger competitors Short learning curve Large migrations can run slowly
10. OpenText Migrate (formerly Carbonite Migrate) OpenText Migrate, formerly Carbonite Migrate and before that Double-Take Move, moves entire Windows and Linux servers between physical, virtual and cloud environments, including into AWS. It uses continuous byte-level data replication , so users keep working on the source until a cutover that takes seconds or minutes.
Key features of OpenText Migrate Non-disruptive testing: run test cutovers against the target at any time without interrupting production.No platform lock-in: migrate between any combination of hypervisors, clouds and hardware, in either direction.Pros Cons Real-time replication with near-zero downtime Licence cost per workload adds up on large estates Unlimited testing without interrupting production Requires agent installation on source systems Avoids lock-in to a specific hypervisor or cloud Less AWS-native than first-party services Moves across physical, virtual and cloud environments Adds another vendor relationship to manage
What happened to AWS Application Migration Service, CloudEndure and Migration Hub? AWS has reshaped its migration tooling over the last few years, so older guides name services that no longer exist or no longer take new customers. AWS Application Migration Service was renamed AWS Transform MGN on June 8, 2026, with no change to its APIs or replication engine. CloudEndure Migration, which MGN replaced, is end of life in all AWS Regions, as is AWS Server Migration Service. AWS Application Discovery Service and AWS Migration Hub closed to new customers on November 7, 2025; existing customers can finish ongoing projects, but new ones start in AWS Transform.
If you are following an older migration plan, map the names across: CloudEndure Migration and AWS Server Migration Service become AWS Transform MGN, and Application Discovery Service and Migration Hub become AWS Transform. AWS DMS, DataSync and Transfer Family are unchanged.
Why migrate to AWS? AWS provides high availability and disaster recovery options, which helps minimise service interruptions and maintain business continuity. Automated provisioning and management of resources streamlines IT operations. Security services and compliance certifications cover most regulatory standards. Regions and availability zones worldwide support low-latency global reach. Resources scale up or down with demand. Pay-as-you-go pricing avoids large upfront infrastructure investment. What are the main challenges of an AWS migration? While AWS migration provides significant benefits, these are the challenges organisations most often run into:
Challenge Description Downtime Risk Improper planning can lead to service disruptions and data loss. Compatibility Issues Some applications may require re-platforming to work in AWS. Data Transfer Bottlenecks Large data volumes may result in slow migrations. Security and Compliance Ensuring compliance throughout migration requires careful planning. Skill Gaps Lack of in-house cloud expertise can slow down implementation. Cost Management Misconfigured services or extended timelines may inflate costs.
How do you choose AWS migration tools? Start from the workloads you are moving, then check each candidate against these factors:
Factor Description Migration Scope Know whether you're migrating data, applications, VMs, or entire infrastructure. Compatibility Ensure the tool supports your existing setup and target AWS services. Automation Tools with automation reduce errors and migration times. Scalability Choose a tool that can scale with your data and workloads. Security Features Look for compliance certifications and encryption support. Service Status Confirm the service still accepts new customers before planning around it. Cost Structure Compare plans and ensure the tool fits your budget.
Which AWS migration tools should you choose? Expect to combine two or three. Plan in AWS Transform, use AWS Transform MGN for servers and DMS for databases, DataSync or Transfer Family for files, and a connector platform like Airbyte for the SaaS and API data native services do not cover, which also keeps syncing after cutover. If regulated records cannot leave your environment during the move, Airbyte Enterprise Flex keeps the data plane inside your own AWS account.
For keeping data flowing once you are on AWS, see our guide to the top data integration tools .
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) 1. What is the easiest AWS migration tool to start with? For servers, AWS Transform MGN: install its replication agent, or use agentless replication on VMware vCenter, and it handles conversion and cutover, free for the first 90 days per server. For databases, AWS DMS runs a full load and change data capture without driver installs or application changes.
2. Can I migrate from Azure or Google Cloud to AWS with these tools? Yes. AWS Transform MGN rehosts servers from other clouds, DataSync transfers objects from Azure Blob Storage and Google Cloud Storage, DMS migrates databases from any reachable source, and Airbyte and OpenText Migrate work across clouds in either direction.
3. Are AWS migration tools free? Partly. AWS Transform MGN is free for 90 days per server, DataSync charges per GB transferred, Transfer Family per endpoint hour plus data, and DMS for replication instances or serverless capacity. Airbyte Open Source is free to self-host. In every case you also pay for the AWS resources you migrate into.
4. What replaced CloudEndure Migration? AWS Transform MGN, formerly AWS Application Migration Service. CloudEndure Migration is end of life in all AWS Regions, and AWS recommends MGN for lift-and-shift migrations.
5. Is AWS Application Discovery Service still available? Only to existing customers. AWS closed Application Discovery Service and Migration Hub to new customers on November 7, 2025. New migration projects should use AWS Transform, which covers discovery, dependency mapping and wave planning.
6. How do you keep downtime low during an AWS migration? Use tools that replicate continuously until cutover, such as DMS with change data capture, MGN for servers and DataSync for files. Downtime then comes down to the cutover itself: stop writes, let the final changes replicate, run checks and switch traffic. Rehearse it with a test cutover first.
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